Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

A high-spirited novel from the bestselling author of Must Love Dogs and Life's a Beach that will have you planning a girlfriend getaway in no time!

Just when Jill Murray's finally figured out how to manage on her own, her ex-husband proves that he can't even run away reliably. After seven long years missing in action, he's back-crashing into the man-free existence Jill and her ten-year-old daughter have built so carefully. And what's a good mother to do? To a child, even a deadbeat dad is better than no dad at all.

Jill's life just hasn't turned out quite the way she planned. By now, she'd hoped to be jetting around the world as a high-end cultural coach. Instead, she's answering phones for a local travel agency and teaching cooking classes at the community center.

Enter free-spirited entrepreneur Billy, who hires Jill as a consultant for an upcoming business trip. Is their relationship veering off in a new direction? And what about her ex? Jill couldn't possibly still have feelings for him . . . could she? Suddenly, her no-boys-allowed life is anything but.

They say that every seven years you become a completely new person, but Jill isn't sure she's ready for the big change. It takes a Costa Rican getaway to help her make a choice-not so much between the two men in her life, but between the woman she is and the one she wants to be.

Review:

Even though summer and beach season is pretty much over for many people, Seven Year Switch is by far the perfect beach/summer read, because it contains the just the right amount of humor, drama, and emotion to keep even the most reluctant of readers intrigued for at least a few hours.

Seven Year Switch tells the story of Jill Murray, a single-mom whose life hasn't always been the easiest thing in the world since her husband left her with no money, a baby, and a simple note saying nothing more than he had to leave. By now though, she has basically everything under control...her daughter seems to be doing fine in school, she has two steady jobs, and a possible love interest in one of her new clients. Though, everything soon changes when her husband lands back in the picture with promises to make everything right again. But how does one girl let a man back into her and her daughter's lives, when he's only caused them pain and heartbreak? And what will that same girl do when she suddenly feels feelings for the man who screwed her over the most in life? Only time will tell in this fun beach read!

Jill was the perfect character to lead the story. She was brave, funny, and a good mother...the perfect role model for any single mother out there in a similar situation. I was especially impressed with how well she had kept it together over the years, never letting even the worst disasters get in her way. Her relationship with her ex was a complicated one, filled with many mixed fillings, making it not only realistic but scandalous in a way that kept the story interesting. I also enjoyed the love interest Cook made in Jill's client Billy. He was sweet and charming, though I would've loved a bit more development into him. Jill's daughter was also another favorite character of mine; I liked seeing how she dealt with everything involving her father and her mother.

The premise of this was nothing short of sweet and fun worthy drama. I loved the idea of Great Girlfriend Getaways. It was an interesting and unique addition to the story! And while I wasn't always happy at how predictable this book could be at times, I didn't let it take too much away from of my enjoyment of the story.

Claire's writing was also a high point, which leaves her to be a writer I'm looking forward to reading more by in the future.

Seven Year Switch is the perfect holiday read!

Grade: B

Seven Year Switch is now out!

Source: Publicity Firm. Thanks, Jen!